Draft Day Live Reaction Blog: Day 1

NFLNFL Draft

Apr 23

Written By Jerome Jones

ROUND 1

1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)

Joe Burrow, QB LSU

Austin Bronstad: We all saw this coming, honestly. Joe Burrow was always going to go number 1. He had one of the best seasons in college football history, and Burrow’s unique combination of talent and health makes him the no-doubt selection.

2. Washington Redskins (3-13)

Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

Micah Jimoh: After deciding to stay put in the second spot, the Washington Redskins selected the widely regarded best player in the draft, Chase Young. The Ohio State DE was one of the best prospects in years. He finished his 2019 season with 16.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, and 21 tackles for loss in 12 games. Young, who grew up in Maryland, will pair with Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, and Montez Sweat to form a scary defensive line.

3. Detroit Lions (3-12-1)

Jeff Okudah, DB, Ohio State

Richie Dordas: Shockingly, Detroit stayed put in the three spot, and used the pick on cornerback Jeff Okudah. Okudah, who was projected to go to the Lions in numerous mock drafts, had three interceptions in 2019 as a Buckeye. Okudah will most likely be the No. 1 corner for the Lions, and will look to turn around a pass defense that was ranked dead last in passing yards last year.

4. New York Giants (4-12)

Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Alex Spieldenner: New York knew who they wanted on the offensive line and got him. Some might argue that he wasn’t the best tackle on the board, but the Giants clearly preferred the 2019 consensus All-American to anybody else, and QB Daniel Jones should feel far safer now. A stat to know: The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has pointed out that Thomas has started 41 games, so the Tackle from Georgia should have more than enough experience to transition smoothly into the NFL.

5. Miami Dolphins (5-11)

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Austin Bronstad: The Miami Dolphins get their franchise QB in Tagovailoa. If Tua can stay healthy, he has the potential to be the best player from this draft. The injuries are a reason for concern, but if you want a QB to start your re-build, the Alabama product was the best available.

6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)

Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

LeMarkus Bailey: Just as most people expected, the polished quarterback from Oregon, Justin Herbert, is the Chargers’ quarterback of the future. With the reins of the offense in the hands of a young Herbert, it will be interesting to see how well the Chargers can support their new quarterback as he tries to propel the team to a level that they could not reach while in San Diego.

7. Carolina Panthers (5-11)

Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

Kris Thomas: This pick shocked me because with Luke Keuchly retiring, Isiah Simmons falling would seem to be the ideal situation. But this pick is perfect for Carolina. 29th in rushing yards allowed, 31st in points allowed and dead last in rushing TDs, the Panthers badly need to shore up their defense, and Brown is a great way to start. DT Kawann Short has a young partner in crime to improve in the trenches.

8. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1)

Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Darren Braxton: Simmons is the definition of a positionless defender. He can play safety, outside linebacker, inside linebacker or even on the edge. This guy will make impact plays for years to come, and looks a lot like the Charger’s Derwin James. Simmons is someone who can do whatever you need on a game-by-game basis, and he will excel at all of it. The Cardinals got a steal here.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10)

CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

Kris Thomas: The Jaguars had the makings of an all-time great defensive backfield in 2017, but they are now trying to rebuild. With Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye both traded, there was a major hole in their secondary. CJ is a great athlete with great tracking skills, even though 9th is too high for my taste. At least he fills a hole that needs to be filled.

10. Cleveland Browns (6-10)

Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama

Richie Dordas: By no means a surprise, the Cleveland Browns took an offensive lineman with their first-round pick. Cleveland selected Jedrick Wills out of Alabama. In 2019, Wills was named First-Team All-SEC playing right tackle for the Crimson Tide. Wills’ job is simple: keep Baker Mayfield off his back. With Jack Conklin at right tackle, Wills will likely slide over to the left side of the line.

11. New York Jets (7-9)

Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

Alex Spieldenner: The Jets take Becton, the Louisville product who impressed many analysts with his excellent Combine. Brugler points out that Becton was a three-year starter at Louisville, and raves about his athleticism. Even better, Becton has experience at both left and right tackle, allowing him some flexibility and likely making the (presumed) transition to left tackle far easier.

12. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9)

Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama

Alex Spieldenner: The Raiders select Ruggs III, the proud owner of a 4.27 40-yard dash time. Ruggs III came into the combine gunning for the 40-yard dash record, and though he didn’t quite accomplish that, the speed is still incredibly impressive. The Alabama product had 746 yards receiving last year, and he will be the main piece that Las Vegas tries to build their passing offense around in 2020. An interesting note, however, is that CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy, both receivers that are generally considered to be superior to Ruggs III, is still available. Las Vegas must know something the rest of us don’t, or this could end up looking very foolish.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)(from SF)

Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

LeMarkus Bailey: After trading a 4th round pick for a 7th to San Francisco, Tampa moved up one spot to 13 to acquire tackle Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs is a seasoned starter that displayed complete dominance in the Big Ten, and Tom Brady needs a tackle of Wirf’s caliber protecting him for what could likely be a Super Bowl-contending season. With this pick, Tom Brady can feel safe while he attempts to win Super Bowl number seven.

14. San Francisco 49ers (from TB)

Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina

Kris Thomas: After trading DeForrest Buckner to the Colts, the reigning NFC Champions now have two first-round picks. After expecting this pick to be a WR to replace Emmanuel Sanders, they shocked everyone by taking Javon Kinlaw. Kinlaw has a great motor, good hands technique, and has shown he can hold his own in the dangerous waters in the SEC. Now playing alongside Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Arik Armstead, the Niners have reloaded their pass rush to make another run to the Super Bowl.

15. Denver Broncos (7-9)

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

LeMarkus Bailey: One of the best route runners we’ve seen in years, Jeudy is a known hard worker who has dealt with some hard times. Jeudy was just as effective as Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley were at Alabama, and he should be a key playmaker in week 1. This creates an offense to be feared in Denver, with an emerging Drew Locke leading Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant and Jeudy.

16. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)

AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson

LeMarkus Bailey: AJ Terrell is a much needed addition to an injury-depleted secondary for Atlanta. Although this pick seems a little early, the Falcons could get value out of Terrell if he is able to remain healthy. With daily practice matchups against arguably the best receiving core in the league, Terrell could transform into an all-pro cornerback by the end of year 1.

17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

Richie Dordas: In a surprising turn of events, CeeDee Lamb fell to number 17 and into the Dallas Cowboys’ laps. While they still need to shore up a few things in the secondary, Dallas can address those in the second round with a guy like S Grant Delpit. With that being said, the Dallas Cowboys offense is absolutely loaded. Lamb will join an offense of Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Ezekiel Elliott. If QB Dak Prescott can come to an agreement with the Cowboys, he will definitely have his options throwing the ball.

18. Miami Dolphins (from 8-8 PIT)

Austin Jackson, OT, USC

Austin Bronstad: Austin Jackson made a lot of sense here, giving Tua someone to help protect him in the same draft. He is a bit of a project who struggled against some of the better teams in college football, but if he can clean up his technique he will be a very good OT in the NFL.

19. Las Vegas Raiders (from 8-8 CHI)

Damon Arnette, DB, Ohio State

Alex Spieldenner: In a surprising decision, the Raiders select Arnette, the Buckeye cornerback who had a massive bounce-back season in 2019. This follows the trend set by the Raiders previous pick, with Las Vegas’ player evaluation clearly a little different from everybody else’s. Though Arnette is talented, this seems to be a reach, as the Ohio State product was projected by some to go as late as the third round. This pick had better be right, or it’s going to be a pretty glaring mistake.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from 9-7 LAR)

K’lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU

Sam Kirk: The Jaguars get a steal at twenty, getting the second-best pass rusher in the draft to pair with Josh Allen, their first round draft pick last season. Chaisson's last four games as an LSU tiger showed he can cover, pass rush, and play the run, and he provides the Jaguars with their replacement for Yannick Ngakoue.The Jags are rebuilding their defense in round 1, already crossing cornerback and pass rusher off their draft-day needs.

21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)

Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

Micah Jimoh: CeeDee Lamb didn’t fall to the Eagles, but they came away with a solid receiver anyway in Jalen Reagor. Reagor’s stats aren’t nearly as impressive as some of the other receivers in this draft, but the speedster possesses the ability to take the top off of a defense. His 40 time was only a 4.47, but that was deceiving, as his on-field speed is much better than the time shows. Many will question Philadelphia’s choice to take him over LSU’s Justin Jefferson, and only time will tell if the decision was correct.

22. Minnesota Vikings (from 10-6 BUF)

Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

Austin Bronstad: I am honestly perplexed at how Jefferson made it to this pick, but here we are. This is a steal for the Vikings, and Jefferson can make an immediate impact with his great route running and ability to go get the ball.

23. LA Chargers ( From NE)

Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

Alex Spieldenner: After addressing quarterback with their first pick, the Chargers trade up to take the player many felt was the second-best linebacker in the draft. He will likely slot in next to Denzel Perryman, and is generally considered to be a dynamic athlete at the linebacker position. Murray is a good pick overall that will address the Chargers’ need for a good second linebacker.

24. New Orleans Saints (13-3)

Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
Kris Thomas: The Saints looked to stabilize the offensive line with the draft pick of Cesar Ruiz of the Michigan Wolverines. Ruiz is easily the best center in this draft, and will end up being a very underrated pick for the New Orleans Saints. While he may not play center because of Erik McCoy, Ruiz is said to be very versatile, and may end up playing a guard position.

25. Minnesota Vikings (10-6)

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

Kris Thomas: The 49ers trade up from the 31st spot and find a young and capable replacement for Emmanuel Sanders. He’s only 6’0 tall, but with a 40-inch vertical and a 6’8 wingspan, he’s a more physically imposing WR than his size indicates. He’s a YAC machine, and in Kyle Shannahan’s offense he’ll get the ball in creative ways similar to Deebo Samuel, allowing him to make plays. Good pick for the 49ers.

26. Green Bay Packers (from MIA)

Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

Kris Thomas: The Packers traded up and got Jordan Love in a shocking pick. Deja vu for the Packers. who are repeating the same formula they did when they Aaron Rodgers and sat him behind Brett Favre for 3 seasons. Love is a raw prospect, but with an opportunity to learn the system behind Rodgers for a few seasons, he’s likely coming into the perfect bridge situation, which will allow Love to enter the lineup seamlessly.

27. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)

Jordyn Brooks, ILB, Texas Tech

Darren Braxton: Brooks is a solid pick for the Seahawks, though he might be a bit too high at this spot. This guy can fly around the field, and he ran a 4.54 at 240 lbs. He is also a tackling machine, and even with the injury concerns should be able to slide right into the starting lineup for Seattle. The best part is that he can pair with Bobby Wagner and learn from one of the best in the business at his position.

28. Baltimore Ravens

Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU

Darren Braxton: The Ravens’ biggest need gets filled here with the pick for Patrick Queen. In Queen, the Ravens get an impact playmaker who can cover well in space, run sideline to sideline and make difficult tackles. Queen is at his best making impact plays, whether it be a tackle for loss, interception or forcing a fumble. The additions of the big guys up front will also allow him to run free so he can excel for the Ravens in the middle of their defense.

29. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

Micah Jimoh: After losing Jack Conklin in free agency, the Titans turned to Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson to fill the void at right tackle. A monster in the run game, Tennessee should have no issue running their style of offense with bookend tackles on both sides. Wilson still needs some work before becoming a reliable NFL player, but the Titans have taken the first step in aiding their new franchise QB Ryan Tannehill.

30. Miami Dolphins (From GB)

Noah Igbinoghene, DB, Auburn

Austin Bronstad: Igbinogene is a solid slot corner who should be able to slide in and help a defense that now has a lot of big names in the secondary. The defensive back is extremely athletic, and plays very aggressively when attacking the ball.

31. Minnesota Vikings (From 49ers)

Jeff Gladney, DB, TCU

Austin Bronstad: Gladney is an extremely physical corner with great quickness and a high ceiling. The two biggest knocks on him are his size and that he played in the big 12, but he also showed great coverage ability against those explosive offenses. Great pick.

32. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

Darren Braxton: The Chiefs wanted and needed a new running back. Edwards-Helaire is a perfect fit for the system they run, with the ability to run inside or outside the tackles. He is a downhill runner with surprising elusiveness, but he is also a receiving threat: he had 40-plus receptions last year, and gained over 400 yards through the air. He will be highly effective for the Chiefs in tandem with Damien Williams, though he needs to work on his pass blocking. Overall, a solid pick for the Super Bowl champions.